AMSTERDAM.- Monday 28 September was exactly one hundred days since the Hermitage Amsterdam opened its doors and, since the first weekend, when the museum stayed open continuously for 31 hours, just over 360,000 visitors and guests have passed through its doors. This figure already equals the estimated target for the first year. Research shows that nearly 80% of the visitors came to Amsterdam especially for the Hermitage Amsterdam , and that 1 in 6 comes from abroad. The figure of 360,000 includes 45,000 guests and 110,000 visitors through the BankGiro Loterij campaign.

Bustling with activityAs well as organizing remarkable exhibitions such as At the Russian court. Palace and Protocol in the 19th Century (on view until 31 January 2010), the museum plays an active role in presenting performances, films, debates, concerts, dance and guest appearances and much more. In this first summer, numerous events were organized in conjunction with the Film Museum , the Uitmarkt and the Canals Festival which attracted huge audiences. After only three months it is already clear that the building, with its superb museum galleries, authentic garden, atmospheric chapel and spacious auditorium, represents an important addition to the cultural life of Amsterdam .

'Gouden GreepThe nationwide campaign of the BankGiro Loterij, a founding supporter of the Hermitage Amsterdam, attracted 110,000 visitors to the new museum, who had all exchanged the gold coin sent to them by post for an entrance ticket at a special BankGiro Loterij desk. This campaign continues until 1 October 2009.

A great many FriendsIn the first hundred days the number of Friends grew from 700 to 3,500. There are many good reasons for becoming a Friend: free entrance at all times, no need to queue, and special events to take part in. The Hermitage Amsterdam is delighted to have so many new ambassadors who cherish the museum.

Hermitage for ChildrenOn September 1 the Hermitage for Children was opened in the presence of a great many Amsterdam children. Each year no less than 20,000 pupils will follow the lesson program. The teaching team has been increased from 7 to 20, and in addition another 10 assistants have been appointed to supervise the pupils during the lessons in the workshops and the discovery trail through the museum.

The next exhibition: Pioneers of Modern Art
6 March  17 September 2010The next exhibition at the Hermitage Amsterdam presents one of the finest collections in the world of French painting from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. This collection from the State Hermitage in St Petersburg includes outstanding paintings by Picasso, Matisse, Van Dongen, De Vlaminck and Derain to name but a few - all regarded as the pioneers of modern art.

Two famous Russian collectors, Morozov and Shchukin, were bold enough to buy these works, at the time considered revolutionary, with the paint still wet in some cases. The exhibition deals at length with their lives and collecting policy.